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Late 1700's Verge Fusee Alarm Project "Click" to Login or Register
 
posted
This watch came to me in pieces and was asked to make the necessary repairs. After looking over the timepiece it was discovered that the verge staff was broken off below the upper flag. The dial was in poor condition with crystal missing as well as the hands. I'm including some pictures as the restoration progressed.

 
Posts: 110 | Location: Independence, Ohio USA | Registered: June 24, 2006
posted
Below is a picture of the dial as it was sent for repair. Notice the signed dial by Francois Lhardy who was a maker in Paris in the late 18th century.

 
Posts: 110 | Location: Independence, Ohio USA | Registered: June 24, 2006
posted
Below is the broken verge after it was removed from the balance wheel hub. After removing the hub it was heated with a soldering iron to melt the solder that holds the verge staff.

 
Posts: 110 | Location: Independence, Ohio USA | Registered: June 24, 2006
posted
This shot is of new old stock period verge. Note the large hub... for this is a blank that needs to be removed from its hub and fit to the original hub for the balance.

 
Posts: 110 | Location: Independence, Ohio USA | Registered: June 24, 2006
posted
After the verge was removed from its hub it was assembled to the original hub and staked into the balance wheel.

 
Posts: 110 | Location: Independence, Ohio USA | Registered: June 24, 2006
posted
Lower main plate with parts assebled after cleaning and polishing.

 
Posts: 110 | Location: Independence, Ohio USA | Registered: June 24, 2006
posted
The upper plate has been placed ready to pin attach with brass tapered pins.

 
Posts: 110 | Location: Independence, Ohio USA | Registered: June 24, 2006
posted
Balance in place.

 
Posts: 110 | Location: Independence, Ohio USA | Registered: June 24, 2006
posted
The alarm bushing was worn and out of shape to hold the hand, the step where the hand seats was ruined worn so a new bushing had to be made. The new bushing was made with the appropriate step to hold the setting hand. This step is very important for it must be adequate to hold the hand as well as having enough stock to rivett over to hold the hand securly. The setting hand on the alarms takes a lot of abuse resulting in torque pressure at the rivett. Old bushing on left.

 
Posts: 110 | Location: Independence, Ohio USA | Registered: June 24, 2006
posted
Hand attached to new bushing ready to be inserted into the dial. On the verge alarms the bushing after after the hand is set is inserted thru the face of the dial. Note groove on lower end of bushing, this groove holds a spring clip that creates the friction needed to hold the alarm setting hand in place after setting.

 
Posts: 110 | Location: Independence, Ohio USA | Registered: June 24, 2006
posted
Completed Francois Lhardy after restoration work. Ready to be inserted into the case.

 
Posts: 110 | Location: Independence, Ohio USA | Registered: June 24, 2006
posted
Note the new hands in the finished picture, these are period style hands made from steel that had to be fit to the hour wheel as well as the square on the cannon pinion. The hand were polished and blued to match the alarm set hand. All the screw head slots were cleaned up with heads polished and re-blued.
Enjoy
Dave
 
Posts: 110 | Location: Independence, Ohio USA | Registered: June 24, 2006
Administrative Assistant
Picture of Dr. Debbie Irvine
posted

Thanks Dave for sharing with us the details of your restoration project!


Debbie Smile
 
Posts: 5199 | Location: Northern Ohio in the U.S.A. | Registered: December 04, 2002
Picture of Bulent Ogel
posted
Hi David,

On your movement the name Francois Lhardy is also on the movement.
On my movement the name Francois is not complete on the dial and don't exist on the movement.
What you think?
Thank you.
Bulent

 
Posts: 126 | Location: Istanbul in Turkey | Registered: December 14, 2008
posted
Hello Bulent,
Here is what might have taken place through the years with your timepiece. The movement was repalced with one of similar design, swiss/french 1850's vintage due to damage to the original and the original dial was affixed to the replacement movement? Take a look at the movement as well to detect re-drilled dial post holes, that is a sure indicator as well that the movement has been replaced. Normally there were three dial feet to secure the dial to the movement. Or the movement was not signed which is likely. If the dial appears that the feet were not moved the later could be a possibility for I have seen many many period pieces not signed.
dave
 
Posts: 110 | Location: Independence, Ohio USA | Registered: June 24, 2006
posted
Pretty job.
One questionBig Grino you have the hairpring or put a new hairpring.

Thanks

Manuel
 
Posts: 31 | Location: Veracruz, México | Registered: April 06, 2008
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